Gallaudet opposes diversity in opinions

Gallaudet University President T. Alan Hurwitz's decision to suspend the university's chief diversity officer for signing a democratic initiative to put same-sex marriage on Maryland's ballot violates her right to free speech and diversity itself ("Gallaudet official suspended for signing anti-gay marriage petition," Oct. 11).

In the first place, Angela McCaskill acted privately, and not as a representative of the university. Second, her apparent view of legalized homosexual unions is obviously in the minority among the leadership of the university, making it not only subject to majority oppression but a spot of intellectual diversity.

In purporting to stand for diversity, Mr. Hurwitz has struck a blow against it. He has also apparently taken a stand that one is not "diverse" by merely being black, deaf, and a woman, as Ms. McCaskill is; one must also conform to a certain mental and political code.

So much for the academic freedom universities promise they uphold, and so much for U.S. tradition of and laws protecting our right to free speech.